โซ โโโโ โชโขโฆ โ โฆโขโซ โโโโ โช
''They're all twisted in the head, that entire family,''
โซ โโโโ โชโขโฆ โ โฆโขโซ โโโโ โช
KIE DROVE US towards the police station. John B was quiet, staring straight ahead, lost in his own thoughts. JJ leaned forward from the back seat, his voice edging on frustration.
''John B, what are we doing at the police station?'' he asked.
''Somebody's gotta tell them what happened,'' John B replied with a calm certainty, glancing back at us, as if daring us to challenge him. Just then, Pope let out a loud cough, the smoke from JJ's latest hit filling the car.
''Easy there, chief,'' JJ said, tapping Pope on the shoulder. Then, his face hardened. ''Look, I'm just gonna be real with you. You're walking straight into the lion's den, and that's just...'' he paused, ''you don't go there on purpose. It's, like, a fundamental rule. My old man always said, never trust the cops, no matter what.'' He glanced at John B.
Kie gave a snort from the driver's seat, ''Your old man's an abusive liar.''
Pope, rubbing his chest from the cough, cut in, ''I'm with JJ on this one,'' he muttered, glancing nervously at the building. ''I say, fuck the police.''
''Wow,'' I said, unable to stop a small smile from creeping in.
Kie looked at him. ''You joining the dark side now?'' she teased.
Pope's anger flared, ''When's the last time the police actually helped us?'' His voice was bitter.
''Peterkin tried to help me. She was looking out for us. They need to know what really happened.'' John B opened the door and got out of the car without another word, striding toward the police station with the air of someone on a mission. The rest of us watched him go.
I turned to JJ, my voice low, ''You really think this is a good idea?''
JJ didn't hesitate. ''Nope. This is the dumbest idea John B's ever had.''
''And we're just letting him go through with it?'' I pressed, my concern growing. Just then, Pope, his eyes slightly unfocused, yelled from the backseat.
''Papers, please!''
We all turned to him, eyebrows raised.
''Excuse me?'' Kie asked annoyed.
JJ snickered, ''He's high as hell.'' He extended a hand toward Pope, who immediately snatched his own hands away, laughing, then mumbling something incoherent.
Suddenly, John B was running back toward the car. ''Kie! Start the car!'' he yelled, glancing over his shoulder as he jumped into the back seat. ''Start the car, Kie!''
''What? John B?'' Kie turned to him, eyes wide with shock. ''What did you do?''
''The cops! Go!'' he shouted again.
''What did you do?'' JJ asked, bewildered, as Kie floored it, the car jerking forward as we sped away from the station with sirens quickly rising in the distance. ''What the fuck did you do?" JJ asked again.
I leaned forward, eyes narrowing as I watched John B catch his breath. ''You wouldn't believe it,'' he muttered, still catching his breath.
''Your dumbass always gets into trouble, so trust me, I'll believe anything you say,'' I replied dryly, raising an eyebrow. Whatever he'd done, it had to be big.
John B finally looked at us. ''Rafe... Rafe killed Peterkin. He did it right in front of me. And now... now they're trying to pin the whole thing on me.''
I felt a chill go through me. First Ward, and now his son? ''They're all twisted in the head, that entire family,'' I murmured.
Kie found a quiet spot where we could hide for a bit and parked. We all sat in stunned silence for a moment as the radio broke in with a cold, matter-of-fact announcement:
''Good news for residents of Outer Banks. Dominion Power says their underwater transmission line, which will restore power to 90% of the area, should be functional within 24 hours. And still, no arrest in the shooting death of Sheriff Susan Peterkin. The state police have issued a statement regarding a local person of interest, a juvenile from...''
JJ looked at each of us and said, ''Let's game this out. Maybe you guys can helpโbeing the smart ones and allโbut who do you think the cops are gonna believe? Ward Cameron or us?''
He turned his gaze back to John B. ''So, basically, the accuser is a big-shot developer, practically lord of the island, got the governor on speed dial, and the accused is... well, John B, who's basically a homeless sixteen-year-old boy at the moment.''
John B gave a sardonic snort. ''Thanks.''
''It's just the reality, JB,'' I said, my voice low. ''Nobody's gonna take our word over theirs.''
Pope sighed. ''Shit.''
JJ straightened, crossing his arms over his chest. ''Yucatan, man. I'm serious. It's the only option. What other choice do you have?''
John B shook his head, exasperated. ''Enough with the Mexico crap. Sarah'll help. She saw the whole thing.''
Kie nodded, ''She did witness it.''
Pope was less convinced. ''And she's gonna rat out her brother?''
I shook my head. ''They cover for each other. She won't say a word.''
JJ looked at John B. ''See? It's not gonna happen, bro. We've got to get you off this island.'' He took another hit, visibly trying to calm himself.
''The ferry. It's the only way,'' Pope said, nodding.
''Get out before they shut down the whole island,'' JJ added, glancing around as another cop car passed, making us duck down instinctively.
''Guys, just get down,'' Kie said urgently, her voice a whisper as we all flattened ourselves, hoping we wouldn't be spotted.
''Sarah's not a Pogue, John B,'' Pope said.
JJ's hand landed on John B's shoulder, giving it a squeeze. ''You can't stay here, man.''
After a moment, we laid out a plan. Pope would find the ferry timetable, and we'd get John B on the next one out, letting him hide on the mainland. It seemed straightforwardโat least in theory.
''Who thought it was a good idea to send Pope for the timetable?'' JJ grumbled as we watched Pope rush toward the car, looking panicked.
Kie squinted at him, irritated. ''Pope, can you act normal?''
Pope fumbled, his hands shaking a little as he handed us a crumpled paper with John B's face on it. ''Okay... so bad news. The ferry's closed. And there's this.''
John B took it, his face going pale. ''What is that?''
JJ took the paper, inspecting it with amusement. ''I mean, you've got to admit, they got your good side.'' He smirked.
I leaned over, stifling a nervous laugh. ''Yeah, JB, they really did.''
Pope shook his head, his voice barely above a whisper. ''The whole island's looking for John B right now.''
Kiara glanced around, growing more serious. ''We need something small, no running lights...''
''It's at the Chateau,'' John B interrupted. ''But the whole place is probably swarming with cops.''
''Let me think,'' Pope muttered, closing his eyes.
''You're too high for this,'' I pointed out, my voice tinged with frustration.
Just then, Pope's eyes snapped open. ''JJ!''
''What?'' JJ replied, a little annoyed.
''Does your dad still have that boat? The Phantom? The one he used to race?''
''Maybe,'' JJ finally muttered, but I could tell he was unsure.
''You could get right up the coast, no problem,'' Pope insisted, leaning forward.
JJ hesitated, looking off toward the water. ''It won't be easy, Pope. I don't even know where the keys are.''
Pope leaned back. ''Well, find them.''
''I'm thinking,'' JJ snapped, visibly frustrated.
Suddenly, Pope's eyes darted around as if he'd just remembered something urgent. ''Why is nobody moving forward?''
I stifled a laugh, shaking my head. ''Pope, the car is parked.''
Kie threw JJ a side-eye, exasperated. ''Can you relax? JJ, how much weed did you give him?''
Before JJ could answer, John B interrupted, leaning over the front seat with a fresh look of panic on his face. ''Guys. Our car's on the poster too.''
Pope immediately reached for the horn, his finger pressing down hard as he shouted, ''Can we move it?'' The horn blared, echoing through the empty street.
''Pope!'' I exclaimed, swatting his hand away. He recoiled, holding his hand like it was injured, his bottom lip jutting out like a wounded child.
''Pope! It won't help!'' Kie snapped.
''We've got a snitch,'' JJ muttered, eyes narrowing as he noticed a kid and his mom standing nearby, both glancing at us and then talking in hurried whispers. ''Pope, turn the car on.''
I glared at the kid, muttering under my breath. ''That little brat...''
''Pope, start the fucking car!'' Kie's voice hitched in panic, her eyes darting to the rearview mirror as the mom pointed toward us. Pope fumbled with the keys, his hands shaking as he finally got the car startedโonly to slam it into the car in front of us with a loud crunch.
''Who the hell let him drive this thing?!'' I exclaimed, pressing my hands to my face. It felt like the world was spinning in slow motion, each second getting worse.
The engine groaned, then lurched forward as Pope finally managed to pull us out of the parking spot. In the distance, I could hear the faint wail of sirens.
''Watch out! Pope!'' Kie yelled. Her grip tightened on the door, clearly bracing for impact.
Pope grinned, his eyes wide and almost gleeful. ''I'm livin' my best life now!''
''We won't be living any life if you keep driving like this!'' I shouted back, clutching the seat.
''My mom's going to kill me!'' Kiara said.
''Look, I should be the last person to say this,'' JJ cut in, one hand raised, ''but you are not okay to drive. Stop!''
Pope must have taken his words to heart because he immediately slammed on the brakes, causing all of us to lurch forward with a collective grunt.
''John B, get out,'' Pope said, turning to look at him with serious eyes. ''He's right. We'll draw the cops off, and you run.'' JJ agreed before glancing at John B. ''But you're gonna be on your own for a bit, okay? Be careful.''
John B nodded. ''I'll be fine,'' he replied quietly.
JJ reached out, giving his shoulder a brief but reassuring squeeze. ''I'll get the rig and meet you at the dump tomorrow. Three o'clock, all right?''
John B gave a quick nod, swallowing hard. ''Three tomorrow at the dump,'' he repeated, then slipped out of the car, glancing back one last time before taking off into the shadows.
Pope started the car again, this time without hesitation, and we sped down the street, leaving John B behind.
words: 1694
You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net